Comparison of the backward overhead medicine ball throw to power production in college football players

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of the backward overhead medicine ball (BOMB) throw to power production in college football players. Forty National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II college football players were studied at the end of an 8-week off-season conditioning program for power output determined from a countermovement vertical jump on a force plate and for maximal distance in the standing BOMB throw. Although the reliability of the BOMB test was high (interclass correlation coefficient = 0.86), there was a significant learning effect across 3 trials (p < 0.01). Peak and average powers generated during the vertical jump correlated moderately but significantly with the best BOMB throw distance (r = 0.59 and 0.63, respectively). Considering power relative to body mass or lean body mass failed to produce significant correlations with BOMB throw distance (r = 0.27 and 0.28, respectively). Therefore, the BOMB throw may have limited potential as a predictor of total body explosive power in college football players.